Plunger systems and multi-function feeders for a knitting machine

ABSTRACT

A feeder for a knitting machine may include a carrier configured to secure the feeder to a knitting machine such that the feeder is movable along a rail of the knitting machine and a feeder arm extending from the carrier. The feeder arm may include a dispensing area configured for supplying a yarn to a needle bed of the knitting machine, and the carrier may include a first actuation surface, a second actuation surface, and a third actuation surface, where the feeder performs a first knitting function when a plunger actuates the feeder by applying a force on the first actuation surface, where the feeder performs a second knitting function when the plunger actuates the feeder by contacting the second actuation surface, and where the feeder performs a third knitting function when the plunger actuates the feeder by contacting the third actuation surface.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/479,718, filed Mar. 31, 2017, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

A variety of articles are formed from textiles. As examples, articles of apparel (e.g., shirts, pants, socks, footwear, jackets and other outerwear, briefs and other undergarments, hats and other headwear), containers (e.g., backpacks, bags), and upholstery for furniture (e.g., chairs, couches, car seats) are often at least partially formed from textiles. These textiles are often formed by weaving or interlooping (e.g., knitting) a yarn or a plurality of yarns, usually through a mechanical process involving looms or knitting machines. One particular object that may be formed from a textile is an upper for an article of footwear.

Knitting is an example of a process that may form a textile. Knitting may generally be classified as either weft knitting or warp knitting. In both weft knitting and warp knitting, one or more yarns are manipulated to form a plurality of intermeshed loops that define a variety of courses and wales. In weft knitting, which is more common, the courses and wales are perpendicular to each other and may be formed from a single yarn or many yarns. In warp knitting, the wales and courses run roughly parallel.

Although knitting may be performed by hand, the commercial manufacture of knitted components is generally performed by knitting machines. An example of a knitting machine for producing a weft knitted component is a V-bed flat knitting machine, which includes two needle beds that are angled with respect to each other. Rails extend above and parallel to the needle beds and provide attachment points for feeders, which move along the needle beds and supply yarns to needles within the needle beds. Standard feeders have the ability to supply a yarn that is utilized to knit, tuck, and float. In situations where an inlay yarn is incorporated into a knitted component, an inlay feeder is typically utilized.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

One general aspect includes a plunger system for a knitting machine, the plunger system including: a first plunger and a second plunger configured to move parallel to a rail of the knitting machine, where the first plunger is attached to the second plunger in a substantially fixed manner, where the first plunger leads the second plunger when moving along the rail in a first direction, and where the first plunger trails the second plunger when moving along the rail in a second direction, the second direction being opposite the first direction.

In certain embodiments, the plunger system further includes a third plunger attached to the second plunger in a substantially fixed manner, where the second plunger leads the third plunger when moving along the rail in a first direction, and where the second plunger trails the third plunger when moving along the rail in a second direction. The plunger system may further include a first set of plungers, the first set of plungers including the first plunger and the second plunger, where each plunger of the first set of plungers is configured to actuate a feeder coupled to a first rail; and a second set of plungers, where each plunger of the second set of plungers is configured to actuate a feeder coupled to a second rail. The first plunger and the second plunger may be spaced in a first direction corresponding with a longitudinal direction of the first rail, where the first set of plungers and the second set of plungers are spaced in a second direction being substantially perpendicular from the first direction. The second set of plungers may include a third plunger and a fourth plunger, where the third plunger is attached to the fourth plunger in a substantially fixed manner, where the third plunger leads the fourth plunger when moving along the rail in a third direction, and where the third plunger trails the fourth plunger when moving along the rail in a fourth direction, the fourth direction being opposite the third direction. The first plunger and the second plunger may be coupled to a carriage of the knitting machine.

Another general aspect includes a feeder for a knitting machine, the feeder including: a carrier configured to secure the feeder to a knitting machine such that the feeder is movable along a rail of the knitting machine; and a feeder arm extending from the carrier, the feeder arm including a dispensing area configured for supplying a yarn to a needle bed of the knitting machine, where the carrier includes a first actuation surface, a second actuation surface, and a third actuation surface, where the feeder performs a first knitting function when a plunger actuates the feeder by applying a force on the first actuation surface, where the feeder performs a second knitting function when the plunger actuates the feeder by contacting the second actuation surface, and where the feeder performs a third knitting function when the plunger actuates the feeder by contacting the third actuation surface.

In some embodiments, the first actuation surface is located at a first height, the second actuation surface is located at a second height, and the third actuation surface is located at a third height. The first height corresponds with a first degree of extension of a plunger, the second height corresponds with a second degree of extension of the plunger, and the third height corresponds with a third degree of extension of the plunger. The first height corresponds with a first extension of a plunger, where the second height corresponds with a second extension of the plunger, and where the third height corresponds with a third extension of the plunger. The carrier may include a first side with the first actuation surface, the second actuation surface, and the third actuation surface, and where the carrier further includes a second side with a fourth actuation surface, a fifth actuation surface, and a sixth actuation surface. The fourth actuation surface is at a height of the first actuation surface, where the fifth actuation surface is at a height of the second actuation surface, and where the sixth actuation surface is at a height of the third actuation surface. The first knitting function may include inlaying a yarn, where the second knitting function includes knitting the yarn, where the third knitting function includes plating the yarn, and where the fourth knitting function includes reverse plating the yarn. At least one actuation surface may be located on an actuation arm that is movable with respect to the remainder of the carrier to cause vertical movement of the feeder arm.

Another general aspect includes a method of knitting on a knitting machine, the method including: moving a carrier of a feeder along a rail of the knitting machine, where the carrier includes a first actuation surface, a second actuation surface, and a third actuation surface, and where the movement of the carrier along the rail is caused by contact between a plunger on at least one of the first actuation surface, the second actuation surface, and where the third actuation surface.

In some embodiments, the method further includes adjusting the degree of extension of the plunger such that the plunger is positioned to contact a different one of the first actuation surface, the second actuation surface, and the third actuation surface. The first actuation surface may be located at a first height, where the second actuation surface is located at a second height, and where the third actuation surface is located at a third height. The first actuation surface may be located on an arm that is movable with respect to the remainder of the carrier. The carrier may include a first side with the first actuation surface, the second actuation surface, and the third actuation surface, and where the carrier further includes a second side with a fourth actuation surface, a fifth actuation surface, and a sixth actuation surface.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an illustration showing a perspective view of a knitting machine in accordance with certain aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is an illustration showing a feeder in communication with a plunger system in accordance with certain aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is an illustration showing the plunger system of FIG. 2, where a third plunger is engaged with the feeder in accordance with certain aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 is an illustration showing a bottom view of the plunger system of FIGS. 2-3.

FIG. 5A is an illustration showing a perspective view of a knitting machine utilizing the plunger system of FIGS. 2-4, where the plunger system is moved away from the rest of the knitting machine for purposes of illustration.

FIG. 5B is an illustration showing a perspective view of a knitting machine utilizing the plunger system of FIGS. 2-4, where the plunger system is in its operative position and engaged with two feeders.

FIG. 6 is an illustration showing a multi-function feeder and variable plunger in accordance with certain aspects of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 7A-7C are illustrations showing the variable plunger of FIG. 6 with three different extension levels in accordance with certain aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 8 is an illustration showing a carriage having two variable plungers in accordance with certain aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 9 is an illustration showing a multi-function feeder with movable actuation arms in accordance with certain aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 10 is an illustration showing another embodiment of a multi-function feeder in accordance with certain aspects of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Various aspects are described below with reference to the drawings in which like elements generally are identified by like numerals. The relationship and functioning of the various elements of the aspects may better be understood by reference to the following detailed description. However, aspects are not limited to those illustrated in the drawings or explicitly described below. It also should be understood that the drawings are not necessarily to scale, and in certain instances details may have been omitted that are not necessary for an understanding of aspects disclosed herein, such as conventional fabrication and assembly.

FIG. 1 shows a knitting machine 100 with two needle beds (a front or first needle bed 102 and a back or second needle bed 104) that are angled with respect to each other (e.g., thereby forming a V-bed). The needles of the first needle bed 102 may lay on a first plane, and the needles of the second needle bed 104 may lay on a second plane. The first plane and the second plane may be angled relative to each other and meet to form an intersection (or axis) that extends along a majority of a width of the knitting machine 100. The needles each may have a first or neutral position where they are retracted and a second or extended position where they are extended. In the neutral position, an end of the needles is spaced from the intersection, and in the extended position, the needles pass through the intersection. The needles, needle beds, and intersection are described in additional detail in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/048,540, patented as U.S. Pat. No. 9,060,570, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

One or more rails 106 may extend above and parallel to the intersection and may provide attachment points for one or more feeders 108. Herein, the rails 106 are defined by a track for which a feeder 108 may couple to in a movable manner. The rails 106 may be secured to a body 107, where the body 107 includes a rail 106 on each side (e.g., on two sides as shown) (and where each of the rails 106 are configured to couple to a different feeder 108). Two rails 106 are included in the depicted embodiment, but more or fewer than two rails 106 may be included. The feeders 108 may include a dispensing area 110 located near the intersection and configured to dispense a yarn 112 to at least one of the first needle bed 102 and the second needle bed 104 as it moves along the intersection.

The knitting machine 100 may include a carriage 114 (also called a cam box) that is movable along the first needle bed 102 and the second needle bed 104. An upper portion 116 of the carriage 114 may include a set of plungers (described in more detail below) that can selectively engage at least one of the feeders 108 such that the feeder 108 that is engaged moves along one of the rails 108 as the carriage 114 moves. As the carriage 114 moves along the first needle bed 102 and the second needle bed 104, the carriage 114 may selectively actuate needles of the first needle bed 102 and/or the second needle bed 104 such that the actuated needles move from the default position to the extended position. The actuation may be the result of a set of cams (not shown in FIG. 1) of the carriage 114 making contact with a butt portion of the needles and forcing the needles to move from the default position to the extended position as the carriage 114 passes. Due to the action of the carriage 114, the feeder 108, and the needles, the yarn 112 may be dispensed from the feeder 108 and to the needles of at least one of the first needle bed 102 and the second needle bed 104.

FIG. 2 shows a plunger system 118 for a knitting machine, which may be located on the upper portion 116 of the carriage 114 depicted in FIG. 1. As depicted in FIG. 2, the plunger system 118 may include a first plunger 120 and a second plunger 122, and a third plunger 124. The first plunger 120, the second plunger 122, and the third plunger 124 may have a first or default position (depicted by the first plunger 120 and the third plunger 124) and a second or extended position (depicted by the second plunger 122). When in the extended position, the plungers may be configured to contact or otherwise engage the feeder 108 (which may be coupled to the rail 106) to thereby cause movement of the feeder 108 along the rail 106 in a first direction 126 and/or a second direction 128. In other words, when the plunger 122 is extended and engaged with the feeder 108, movement of the plunger system 118 (and therefore also the plunger 122) will cause movement of the feeder 108. The same would occur if the first plunger 120 or third plunger 124 was extended and engaged with the feeder 108.

The first plunger 120, the second plunger 122, and/or the third plunger 124 may be attached to one another in a relatively fixed manner. That is, the first plunger 120, the second plunger 122, and/or the third plunger 124 may be relatively immovable relative to each other (at least in the axis of the first direction 126 and the second direction 128) such that when the first plunger 120, the second plunger 122, and the third plunger 124 move along the rail 106 together. The plungers may be oriented such that the first plunger 120 leads the second plunger 122 when moving along the rail 106 in a first direction 126, and where the second plunger 122 leads the third plunger 124 when moving in the first direction 126. Similarly (but vice versa), the third plunger 124 may lead the second plunger 122 when moving in the second direction 128, and the second plunger 122 may lead the first plunger 120 when moving in the second direction 128.

FIG. 3 shows the plunger system 118 of FIG. 2, where the third plunger 124 is engaged with the feeder 108 rather than the second plunger 122. As shown, in this orientation, the second plunger 122 is retracted, and the third plunger 124 is extended and in contact with an outer surface of a second arm 154 of the feeder 108. In other orientations, the third plunger could be engaged with another portion of the feeder 108 (e.g., such as the located between the first arm 152 and the second arm 154 of the feeder 108, similar to how the second plunger 122 is depicted in FIG. 2, or at a location corresponding to an outer end of the first arm 152). The first plunger 120 may operate the same way.

FIG. 4 shows a bottom view of the plunger system 118. Portions of rails 106 of the knitting machine are also depicted. As shown, the first plunger 120, the second plunger 122, and the third plunger 124 may be included in a first set of plungers 130, for example, where the first set of plungers 130 is configured to actuate a feeder coupled to a first rail 106A. The plunger system 118 may further include a second set of plungers 132 on the upper portion 116 of the carriage 114, where each of the plungers of the second set of plungers 132 (e.g., a fourth plunger 134, a fifth plunger 136, and a sixth plunger 138) is configured (e.g., shaped, sized, and/or positioned) to actuate a feeder coupled to a second rail 106B. The first set of plungers 130 and the second set of plungers 132 may be spaced in a third direction 140 that is substantially perpendicular from the first direction 126 and the second direction 128. More or less than two sets of plungers may be included, and it is contemplated that each rail 106 of the knitting machine 100 may be associated with at least one set of plungers. Further, while each set of plungers may have three individual plungers (as shown), more or less than three may be included in each set, and it is further contemplated that different sets may have a different number of plungers.

Referring to the first set of plungers 130 of FIGS. 2-4, the first plunger 120, the second plunger 122, and/or the third plunger 124 may each be controlled via different actuators such that they are operable independently. For example, a first actuator 142 may be associated with the first plunger 120, a second actuator 144 may be associated with the second plunger 122, and a third actuator 146 may be associated with the third plunger 124. The actuators may incorporate an electric motor or other electric actuation device, a hydraulic actuation device, or any other suitable device of actuating the respective plungers. Further, the actuators may be individually controllable (e.g., through a programmed control system electrically connected to the actuators) such that a user and/or software of the knitting machine 100 can select which, if any, of the first actuator 142, the second actuator 144, and the third actuator 146 is actuated (i.e., extended) at any given time during a knitting process.

Advantageously, the plunger system 118 may provide the ability to select which specific feeders are used when knitting a course of a knitted component. For example, if all of the plungers of the first set of plungers 130 are retracted (e.g., non-actuated), the first feeder 108 (of FIG. 2) will be passed by the carriage 114 when the carriage 114 moves in the first direction 126 and the second direction 128. To knit with the first feeder 108, a plunger of the first set of plungers 130 can be extended (e.g., actuated) such that it will engage the first feeder 108 when moving in the first direction 126 and/or the second direction 128. Similarly, the second set of plungers 132 may determine whether a second feeder (not depicted) is active during the knitting of a course of loops. The knitting machine 100 is not limited to two sets of feeders, and any suitable number of sets of feeders can be included.

The plunger system 118 may also provide the ability to select which feeder leads another during a knitting process. Referring to FIG. 4, for example, when the fourth plunger 134 of the second set of plungers 132 is extended, and when the second plunger 122 of the first set of plungers 130 is extended, the second feeder associated with the second rail 106B will lead the first feeder associated with the first rail 106A when moving in the first direction 126. This may be advantageous, for example, when it is desirable to perform a plating process (e.g., using two yarns from two respective feeders) with a leading yarn dispensed from the second feeder of the second rail 106B while knitting with the first feeder of the first rail 106A, for example. Similarly, a third set of plungers 148 and/or a fourth set of plungers 150 may be used to include a third feeder that leads or trails at least one of the first feeder of the first rail 106A and the second feeder of the second rail 106B.

Since the actuated plunger of the first set of plungers 130 and the second set of plungers 132 can be changed, different courses (and potentially different portions of a single course) can be varied by changing the leading yarn. Advantageously, the plunger system 118 provides this ability to vary which feeders are actuated and which feeders lead.

FIGS. 5A-5B are illustrations showing a perspective view of a knitting machine 100 with the carriage 114 utilizing the plunger system 118 described above (where, in FIG. 5A, the plunger system 118 is moved away from the rest of the knitting machine 100 to illustrate underlying components, and where FIG. 5B depicts an operative state where the plunger system 118 is engaged with feeders of the knitting machine 100). As shown in FIG. 5B, the plunger system 118 includes the first plunger 120, the second plunger 122, and the third plunger 124 of the first set of plungers 130. In the depicted embodiment, the first plunger 120 is in its extended or actuated state such that it contacts an outer surface of the arm 154 of the first feeder 108 a. Similarly, the fifth plunger 136 is in its extended or actuated state such that it contacts an outer surface of an arm 155 of the second feeder 108 b. As a result, as the carriage 114 moves in the first direction 126, the first feeder 108 a will lead the second feeder 108 b. That is, the first feeder 108 a will reach particular needles in a needle bed before the second feeder 108 b reaches those same needles. The resulting knitted component may therefore have a controlled color scheme provided by selectively choosing which feeder is the leading feeder (e.g., due to the tendency for plating to occur when one feeder leads another, as understood by those skilled in the art). When it is desired for the color scheme of the knitted component to change, the leading feeder can be changed by switching which plungers are extended. Using more than two sets of plungers (e.g., see the third set of plungers 148, etc.) can further enhance this ability.

FIG. 6 is an illustration showing a multi-function feeder 208 for a knitting machine 200. The feeder 208 may include a carrier 252 that can couple to the rail 206 of the knitting machine 200 in a manner such that the feeder 208 is movable along the longitudinal axis of the rail 206 in a first direction 226 and/or in a second direction 228. A feeder arm 254 may extend from the carrier 252 and may include a dispensing area 256 configured (e.g., sized, shaped, and/or positioned) for supplying a yarn 212 to at least one needle bed of the knitting machine 200 (as described in more detail above).

In the depicted embodiment, the carrier 252 includes a first actuation surface 258, a second actuation surface 260, and a third actuation surface 262. The first actuation surface 258 may be located at a first height, the second actuation surface 260 may be located at a second height, and the third actuation surface may be located at a third height. Herein, a “height” when referring to the actuation surfaces may refer to a distance from a horizontal plane below or extending through the carrier 252. The first height may correspond with a first degree of extension of a plunger 220 (shown in FIG. 7A), the second height may correspond with a second degree of extension of the plunger 220 (shown in FIG. 7B), and the third height may correspond with a third degree of extension of the plunger 220 (shown in FIG. 7C). For example, referring to FIG. 6 and FIGS. 7A-7C, a first degree of extension 264A may align a tip 266 of the plunger 220 with the first actuation surface 258, a second degree of extension 264B of the plunger 220 may align the tip 266 with the second actuation surface 260, and a third degree of extension 264C may align the tip 266 with the third actuation surface 262. The degree of extension of the plunger 220 may be adjusted by an actuator 242, which may be controlled manually by a user and/or electronically by a programmed controller.

When a plunger 220 contacts the first actuation surface 258 and applies a force on the first actuation surface 258 in the first direction 226, the feeder 208 may move such that the dispensing area 256 moves along and communicates with at least one needle bed. Similarly, when the plunger contacts the second actuation surface 260 and applies a force on the second actuation surface 260 in the first direction 226, the feeder 208 may move such that the dispensing area 256 moves along and communicates with at least one needle bed, and when the plunger 220 contacts the third actuation surface 262 and applies a force on the third actuation surface 262 in the first direction 226, the feeder 208 may move such that the dispensing area 256 moves along and communicates with at least one needle bed. Each of the actuation areas may be associated with a different knitting function that is determined by the relative position of the plunger 220 to the feeder 208 when the plunger 220 engages the feeder 208.

For example, the first knitting function may be a plating function where feeder 208 leads another feeder (e.g., a feeder on a parallel rail) while knitting a course on the knitting machine, similar to as described above with respect to reference to FIG. 5. To illustrate, referring to the plunger system of FIG. 8, if the first plunger 220 is extended such that it will contact the first actuation surface 258 (of FIG. 6), and a second plunger 222 (spaced in a direction perpendicular to the first direction 226 and the second direction 228) is extended such that it will contact a second actuation surface 260 (of FIG. 6) of a second feeder on a parallel rail, the feeder engaged by the first plunger 220 will lead the feeder engaged by the second plunger 222. Thus, referring back to FIG. 6, since the second actuation surface 260 is offset in the second direction 228 with respect to the longitudinal axis of the rail 206, the second knitting function associated with the second actuation surface 260 may be a function where the feeder 208 trails another feeder, or leads the another feeder by a smaller distance. In one contemplated embodiment, when knitting in the first direction 226, the first knitting function may include the feeder 208 leading two other feeders, the second knitting function may include the feeder 208 leading one of the two other feeders and trailing the other, and a third knitting function (associated with the third actuation surface 262) may include the feeder 208 trailing the two other feeders. More or less than three feeders (and/or actuation surface levels) may be included.

A first side 268 of the carrier 252 may include the first actuation surface 258, the second actuation surface 260, and the third actuation surface 262, which may face towards a second side 270 (and thus are defined as inward-facing actuation surfaces). The carrier 252 may further include the second side 270 with a fourth actuation surface 272, a fifth actuation surface 274, and a sixth actuation surface 276 (which are also inward-facing actuation surfaces). The inward-facing actuation surfaces of the first side 268 may be utilized when knitting in the first direction 226, and the respective opposite inward-facing actuation surfaces of the second side 270 may be utilized when knitting in the second direction. More or less than three inward-facing actuation surfaces may be associated with each side of the carrier 252, and it is contemplated that different sides may have a different number of actuation surfaces in some embodiments. In the depicted embodiment, the gap between the first actuation surface 258 and the fourth actuation surface 272 is greater than the gap between the second actuation surface 260 and the fifth actuation surface 274. In other words, the higher actuation surfaces are offset outwardly with respect to the lower actuation surfaces, which may be advantageous when it is desired for a feeder actuated with the higher surfaces to lead a feeder actuated with the lower surfaces in both knitting directions (and without adjusting any plungers).

An outer actuation surface 278 may be included on an outside surface of one of the first side 268 and the second side 270, as shown. The outer actuation surface 278 may be associated with inlaying a yarn, and may effect vertical movement of the feeder 208 (similar to as described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/048,540, patented as U.S. Pat. No. 9,060,570, which is incorporated by reference above). Advantageously, the outer actuation surface 278 may provide yet another knitting function (e.g., an inlaying function) to the capabilities of the feeder 208. It is contemplated that, like the inner actuation surfaces described above, the feeder 208 may have multiple outer actuation surfaces that are offset from one another and thus selectively actuatable depending on the degree of extension of a plunger.

FIG. 9 is an illustration showing another embodiment of a multi-function feeder 308. The feeder 308 includes a first actuation surface 358, a second actuation surface 360, and a third actuation surface 362. The second actuation surface 360 and the third actuation surface 362 may be similar to the actuation inward-facing actuation surfaces described above with reference to FIG. 9 in that they may determine whether the feeder 308 is leading or trailing other feeders on parallel rails. The first actuation surface 358 may also be similar, but may be located on an actuation arm 380 that is movable with respect to the remainder of the carrier 352 when engaged on its outward-facing surface (e.g., the surface 378). The movement of the actuation arm 380 with respect to the rest of the carrier 352 may effect vertical movement of the feeder arm 354 (similar to as described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/048,540, patented as U.S. Pat. No. 9,060,570, which is incorporated by reference above).

FIG. 10 shows another embodiment a multi-function feeder 408. The multi-function feeder 408 is similar to the multi-function feeder 208 described above, but the surfaces are inversed. For example, assuming the knitting machine has a plurality of multi-function feeders in accordance with the depicted multi-function feeder 408, and assuming the operative plungers are aligned, a feeder utilizing a first surface 456 would lead a similar feeder utilizing a second surface 458 when moving in a direction 428, and the feeder utilizing the second surface 458 would lead a feeder utilizing the a third surface 460 (e.g., due to plunger extension level, as described above). Thus, the feeder 408 may also be associated with many of the advantages associated with the multi-function feeders described above.

In the present disclosure, the ranges given either in absolute terms or in approximate terms are intended to encompass both, and any definitions used herein are intended to be clarifying and not limiting. Notwithstanding that the numerical ranges and parameters setting forth the broad scope of the present embodiments are approximations, the numerical values set forth in the specific examples are reported as precisely as possible. Any numerical value, however, inherently contains certain errors necessarily resulting from the standard deviation found in their respective testing measurements. Moreover, all ranges disclosed herein are to be understood to encompass any and all subranges (including all fractional and whole values) subsumed therein.

Furthermore, the present disclosure encompasses any and all possible combinations of some or all of the various aspects described herein. It should also be understood that various changes and modifications to the aspects described herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure and without diminishing its intended advantages. It is therefore intended that such changes and modifications be covered by the appended claims. 

We claim:
 1. A plunger system for a knitting machine, the plunger system comprising: a first plunger and a second plunger configured to move parallel to a rail of the knitting machine, wherein the first plunger is attached to the second plunger in a substantially fixed manner, wherein the first plunger leads the second plunger when moving along the rail in a first direction, and wherein the first plunger trails the second plunger when moving along the rail in a second direction, the second direction being opposite the first direction.
 2. The plunger system of claim 1, further comprising a third plunger attached to the second plunger in a substantially fixed manner, wherein the second plunger leads the third plunger when moving along the rail in a first direction, and wherein the second plunger trails the third plunger when moving along the rail in a second direction.
 3. The plunger system of claim 1, further comprising: a first set of plungers, the first set of plungers including the first plunger and the second plunger, wherein each plunger of the first set of plungers is configured to actuate a feeder coupled to a first rail; and a second set of plungers, wherein each plunger of the second set of plungers is configured to actuate a feeder coupled to a second rail.
 4. The plunger system of claim 3, wherein the first plunger and the second plunger are spaced in a first direction corresponding with a longitudinal direction of the first rail, and wherein the first set of plungers and the second set of plungers are spaced in a second direction being substantially perpendicular from the first direction.
 5. The plunger system of claim 3, wherein the second set of plungers includes a third plunger and a fourth plunger, wherein the third plunger is attached to the fourth plunger in a substantially fixed manner, wherein the third plunger leads the fourth plunger when moving along the rail in a third direction, and wherein the third plunger trails the fourth plunger when moving along the rail in a fourth direction, the fourth direction being opposite the third direction.
 6. The plunger system of claim 1, wherein the first plunger and the second plunger are coupled to a carriage of the knitting machine.
 7. A feeder for a knitting machine, the feeder comprising: a carrier configured to secure the feeder to a knitting machine such that the feeder is movable along a rail of the knitting machine; and a feeder arm extending from the carrier, the feeder arm including a dispensing area configured for supplying a yarn to a needle bed of the knitting machine, wherein the carrier includes a first actuation surface, a second actuation surface, and a third actuation surface, wherein the feeder performs a first knitting function when a plunger actuates the feeder by applying a force on the first actuation surface, wherein the feeder performs a second knitting function when the plunger actuates the feeder by contacting the second actuation surface, and wherein the feeder performs a third knitting function when the plunger actuates the feeder by contacting the third actuation surface.
 8. The feeder of claim 7, wherein the first actuation surface is located at a first height, wherein the second actuation surface is located at a second height, and wherein the third actuation surface is located at a third height.
 9. The feeder of claim 8, wherein the first height corresponds with a first degree of extension of a plunger, wherein the second height corresponds with a second degree of extension of the plunger, and wherein the third height corresponds with a third degree of extension of the plunger.
 10. The feeder of claim 9, wherein the first height corresponds with a first extension of a plunger, wherein the second height corresponds with a second extension of the plunger, and wherein the third height corresponds with a third extension of the plunger.
 11. The feeder of claim 7, wherein the carrier includes a first side with the first actuation surface, the second actuation surface, and the third actuation surface, and wherein the carrier further includes a second side with a fourth actuation surface, a fifth actuation surface, and a sixth actuation surface.
 12. The feeder of claim 11, wherein the fourth actuation surface is at a height of the first actuation surface, wherein the fifth actuation surface is at a height of the second actuation surface, and wherein the sixth actuation surface is at a height of the third actuation surface.
 13. The feeder of claim 7, further comprising a fourth actuation surface, wherein the feeder performs a fourth knitting function when the plunger actuates the feeder by contacting the fourth actuation surface.
 14. The feeder of claim 13, wherein the first knitting function includes inlaying the yarn, wherein the second knitting function includes knitting the yarn, wherein the third knitting function includes plating the yarn, and wherein the fourth knitting function includes reverse plating the yarn.
 15. The feeder of claim 7, wherein at least one actuation surface is located on an actuation arm that is movable with respect to the remainder of the carrier to cause vertical movement of the feeder arm.
 16. A method of knitting on a knitting machine, the method comprising: moving a carrier of a feeder along a rail of the knitting machine, wherein the carrier includes a first actuation surface, a second actuation surface, and a third actuation surface, and wherein the movement of the carrier along the rail is caused by contact between a plunger on at least one of the first actuation surface, the second actuation surface, and wherein the third actuation surface.
 17. The method of claim 16, further comprising adjusting the degree of extension of the plunger such that the plunger is positioned to contact a different one of the first actuation surface, the second actuation surface, and the third actuation surface.
 18. The method of claim 16, wherein the first actuation surface is located at a first height, wherein the second actuation surface is located at a second height, and wherein the third actuation surface is located at a third height.
 19. The method of claim 18, wherein the first actuation surface is located on an arm that is movable with respect to the remainder of the carrier.
 20. The method of claim 19, wherein the carrier includes a first side with the first actuation surface, the second actuation surface, and the third actuation surface, and wherein the carrier further includes a second side with a fourth actuation surface, a fifth actuation surface, and a sixth actuation surface. 